A diatonic semitone is a type of musical interval between two pitches that are adjacent to each other within the same diatonic scale. There are various synonyms for this term, including "minor second," "half step," or simply "semitone." In contrast, a chromatic semitone is an interval between two pitches that are not in the same diatonic scale, also known as a "sharp or flat second." Other synonyms for chromatic semitone include "augmented unison" or "enharmonic equivalent." The distinction between diatonic and chromatic semitones is important in music theory and composition, as it affects the overall tonality and character of a composition.